SABBATH and Sunday, November 7, 8, were important days for the Altoona church. For a long time the members of this church have looked forward to the dedication of their church building. The work was started in this city by the writer, assisted at first by Elder Charles Baierle, and later by Elder W. H. Smith, when, in 1894, a tent-meeting was held, which was attended with excellent results, and in January, 1895, the Altoona church was organized. Although fourteen years have elapsed since the church was organized, we were gratified to see that, notwithstanding the inroads which have been made upon the membership by removals, deaths, and to some extent, we regret to say, by apostasy, so many still remain to hold up the standard of truth in this city. A number of those who originally accepted the truth and became members of this church, are now faithful laborers in the third angel's message.
During the past few years Elder W. F. Schwartz has had charge of the work in Altoona and vicinity, and the Lord has greatly blessed his labors. The Altoona church building, which was somewhat involved financially, has been freed from its indebtedness.
On Sabbath, November 7, there was a good attendance, and the meeting assumed the nature of a revival. This was indeed a fitting introduction to the dedicatory service, the members first dedicating themselves to the Lord.
THE NEW CHURCH AT ALTOONA, PA.
Sunday, November 8, the dedicatory services of the building took place. The house was filled to its utmost capacity, and the services were most interesting. An orchestra from the city rendered excellent help in the music. The dedicatory sermon was delivered by the writer, and was based upon John 4:24: “God is a spirit; and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” Elder F. D. Wagner, president of the West Pennsylvania Conference, offered the dedicatory prayer.
At the close of this service, the members of the church voted to deed the church property, which is valued at six thousand five hundred dollars, to the West Pennsylvania Conference. This is a wise course for every church to follow; for much property has been lost to the cause by having church buildings deeded to a church board, whose members have moved to some other place, or apostatized.
On the evening following the dedication, the writer spoke to a full house on the subject of religious liberty.
At this meeting, we were pleased to meet Brother J. D. Mulhollen, who was formerly engaged in preaching this message.
We are glad to report that the outlook for the work in the Altoona field is encouraging, and we believe that there will be a continual growth in the membership of this church. Our prayer is that God may greatly bless Elder Schwartz and his colaborers in building up the work in that important field.
